Belgrade, First Published Jan 8, 2022, 9:59 PM IST
Melbourne: Djokovic’s lawyer told the court in November that Novak Djokovic, who was attending the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, had applied for a special vaccine waiver because he had contracted the disease in December. Djokovic’s lawyer told the court in a 32 – page affidavit that the RTPCR test on December 16 confirmed the diagnosis.
But Kovad confirmed that a Facebook post with pictures of Djokovic handing out prizes to young players at a ceremony at the Novak Tennis Center in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on December 16 had just been released. Due to Kovid’s restrictions, only award winners other than the organizers attended the ceremony with Djokovic. The Facebook post also features Djokovic taking selfies with about 20 young actors and organizers who attended the event. No one at the ceremony wore a mask. The event was also reported by the Serbian media.
Djokovic attended another ceremony and stamp release on December 16 organized by the Serbian Postal Department, which Kovid confirmed. Djokovic posted pictures of the ceremony on his Instagram on the 17th.
Joko’s lawyer told the court today that he had a visa to enter Australia and that the Australian Open organizers had granted him a vaccine waiver. Djokovic’s claim that he was recently granted a waiver by the Australian Open authorities on December 30, as a Kovid victim. The lawyer also presented documents to the court stating that the Australian Interior Ministry had granted Djokovic a vaccine exemption. The case is set to go to trial on Monday.
The Australian Open kicks off on the 17th of this month. Djokovic holds the record for most Grand Slam titles if he wins the Australian Open. Djokovic currently holds 20 Grand Slam titles with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Last Updated Jan 8, 2022 10:37 PM IST
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